Lesson video

Hello.

I am Ms. Kouma.

And I'm really pleased that you've chosen to learn with me today.

Today's lesson is called "Stereotypes and their impact", and it's taken from our unit "Communities: How are we all different?" I would really like you to do this lesson with a trusted adult as there might be some parts of the learning that you find tricky to understand or maybe even a little bit worrying.

If at any point during the lesson you do feel worried or upset, please pause the video and speak to your trusted adult.

The outcome for today's lesson is, I can describe what stereotypes are, and explain their impact and how to challenge them.

Before we begin any of our learning, let's remind ourselves of some important ground rules.

Laura reminds us to listen to others.

We need to have our best listening ears on and we mustn't interrupt other people when they speak.

Andeep reminds us to respect privacy.

It is okay for us to share stories, but let's not use any names that could give away someone's identity.

Jacob reminds us, no judgment.

This should be a safe space for us to talk.

We mustn't make anyone feel silly or laugh at anyone for the things that they say.

And Izzy says, "Choose your level of participation." If you don't want to answer a question or take part in the discussion, that's absolutely fine.

Nobody should be made to do anything.

Throughout today's lesson, you might spot that there are two words in bold black font.

These are keywords.

Let's take a quick look at today's keywords and what they mean.

Assumption.

An assumption is a feeling or belief about something or someone which is not based on evidence.

And stereotype.

A stereotype is an unfair belief about someone based on their characteristics.

Today's lesson is split into two parts.

Let's start with part one.

What are stereotypes? Andeep and Izzy both love being active.

One of them enjoys playing football and the other enjoys cheerleading.

I wonder if you can work out which is which.

Andeep says, "Some people assumed that I'd join the school football club, but I actually prefer to do cheerleading.

I love learning the routines and doing the lifts." Izzy says, "Some people assumed that I like cheerleading but my favorite sport is football.

I've been playing it since I was little and I'm really good at scoring goals." Assumptions are ideas that people believe are true even though there isn't any evidence to support them.

Andeep explains, "Some people might make the assumption that boys like football and that girls like cheerleading, even though this isn't actually correct." Assumptions are the result of many things.

Ms. Walsh explains, "Assumptions can come from what we've seen historically.

For example, women weren't allowed to take part in the Olympics in 1896 because it was assumed that sports were more suited to men.

Assumptions can also come from what we've seen in the media.

Often cheerleaders are shown on TV as women or girls.

In time, our minds can start to believe ideas which actually have no evidence." True or false.

Assumptions are ideas that people believe are true because there is evidence to support them.

You can pause to do this task.

Just press play when you're ready to move on.

The answer is false.

But can you remember why? Assumptions are ideas that people believe are true, even though there isn't any evidence to support them.

Stereotypes are unfair assumptions about a person or group of people based on their characteristics.

Ms. Walsh explains, "Andeep and Izzy experienced gender stereotypes.

In other words, people made assumptions about what they could or couldn't do based on whether they were a boy or girl.

Sadly, stereotypes exist for lots of other characteristics too." Lucas tells us, "Sometimes I have experienced stereotypes around my disability.

People wrongly make assumptions that I can't play sports because I'm a wheelchair user.

The fact is that I can play many sports and I'm brilliant at wheelchair basketball." Alex's granddad says, "Sometimes I have experienced stereotypes around my age.

People wrongly make assumptions that I'm forgetful or that my brain has slowed down.

The fact is that I'm very mentally active and love learning new skills.

My favorite new hobby is playing chess!" Zeb's mum tells us, "Sometimes I have experienced stereotypes around being pregnant.

People wrongly make assumptions that I'm going to stop working to stay at home with the baby.

The fact is, I love my job and I plan to work full-time when I return from maternity leave." And Jun adds, "Sometimes I have experienced stereotypes because of where my family comes from.

People wrongly make assumptions about the foods I eat or the languages I speak.

The fact is I love trying foods from lots of different countries, and I'm proud to speak both English and Mandarin." Correct one word in the statement, so that it is true.

Stereotypes are fair assumptions about a person or group of people based on their characteristics.

You can pause to have a think and then press play when you're ready to move on.

The word that you needed to correct was fair.

It should say unfair.

Stereotypes are unfair assumptions about a person or group of people based on their characteristics.

That brings us to the first task for today's lesson, Task A.

Write one paragraph to answer the following question.

What are stereotypes? Support your answer with two examples of stereotypes.

You can pause the video to do this task, and then when you're ready to see some possible answers, just press play.

How did you get on? Let's take a look at some possible answers together.

Your paragraph might include the following.

"Stereotypes are unfair assumptions about a person or group of people based on their characteristics.

Assumptions are ideas that people believe are true even though there isn't any evidence to support them.

They're the result of many things, including what we have seen historically or what we often see in the media.

Examples of stereotypes may include the incorrect belief that people with disabilities cannot take part in sports, or that older people are forgetful and can't learn new things." Well done if your answers were along these lines.

That brings us to the second part of today's lesson.

What is the impact of stereotypes? Stereotypes can limit what we imagine ourselves and others can achieve.

Ms. Walsh explains, "Stereotypes start to make us believe that we or other people can't do certain things.

They can make people doubt their ability, lose confidence, or shy away from opportunities." Andeep says, "Because of people's assumptions.

I almost didn't join cheerleading club.

I was worried about being teased and started to think that perhaps I wasn't any good." Izzy says, "I'm pleased that you didn't let stereotypes stop you, Andeep.

You're one of the best cheerleaders on our school team." Alex's granddad says, "Because of people's assumptions, I lost confidence in myself as I got older.

I began to believe that perhaps I was too old to learn new skills." Alex replies, "I'm glad that you didn't let stereotypes stop you.

You are the best chess player I know and you've taught me lots.

I love playing chess with you, Grandad." Lucas explains, "It can be hard to ignore stereotypes and I very nearly passed up the opportunity to try out for my local basketball team.

Fortunately, my family and friends supported me and encouraged me to follow my dreams. I now play in the local team and we've won lots of trophies!" Stereotypes could cause a person to A, doubt their ability, B, gain confidence, or C, shy away from opportunities.

You can pause to have a quick think and then press play when you're ready to move on.

The answers are A and C.

Stereotypes could cause a person to doubt their ability and shy away from opportunities.

By identifying assumptions, we can begin to challenge stereotypes.

Ms. Walsh explains, "If people stop making assumptions, others will begin to feel valued and supported to achieve the things that they are capable of.

When stereotypes are challenged, the world becomes a more inclusive place where people are celebrated for who they truly are." When we challenge stereotypes, we should stay calm and respectful.

Explain why the assumption isn't fair.

Give examples that show the stereotype isn't true.

And speak to a trusted adult if we feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Remember, if someone says something based on unfair stereotypes that makes you feel upset or if you see this happening to someone else, it's important to tell a trusted adult who can help.

Everyone deserve to be treated fairly.

True or false.

By identifying assumptions we can begin to challenge stereotypes.

You can pause to have a quick think and press play when you're ready to move on.

The answer of course is true.

We can respectfully challenge stereotypes by safely speaking up and being positive role models.

Andeep explains, "When my friends make assumptions about boys cheerleading, I politely explain that it actually originated as a male sport.

I also remind them that people should take part in a sport that they love regardless of whether they're a boy or girl." Lucas adds, "When anyone mentions the stereotype that people with disabilities can't take part in sport, I thoughtfully remind them that physical exercise is important for everyone's wellbeing.

I also tell them that with the right adjustments, there are lots of sports that people with disabilities can play and enjoy." Alex's grandad adds, "When my friends who are the same age as me believe the stereotype that we're too old to learn something new, I respectfully explain to them that it's never too late to learn new things.

I tell them how much joy it's given me to learn chess and play it with my grandson, Alex." And Zeb's mom adds, "When my colleagues make assumptions about whether I'll work or stay at home after Zeb's born, I kindly remind them that parenting is an equal partnership and that families should do what works for them.

Zeb's dad is keen to be at home and I want to go back to work." What is missing from the list of ways we can challenge stereotypes? We've got give examples that show the stereotype isn't true, and explain why the assumption isn't fair.

You can pause to have a quick think and then press play when you're ready to move on.

The answers are stay calm and respectful, and speak to a trusted adult if we feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Here's one final check for understanding.

Read what happened to Jamal.

Which strategies for challenging stereotypes did he use? Tick all that apply.

Jamal's older brother told him that boys don't cry.

Jamal calmly explained, "That's not fair.

Everyone has feelings and it's healthy to express them.

Even professional athletes cry sometimes." Jamal then spoke to his dad about what happened.

So, your options are stayed calm and respectful, explained why the assumption isn't fair, spoke to a trusted adult, and gave examples that show the stereotype isn't true.

You can pause to have a quick think and then press play when you're ready to move on.

The answers are all of them.

Jamal stayed calm and respectful.

He explained why the assumption isn't fair.

He spoke to a trusted adult.

And he also gave examples that show the stereotype isn't true.

That brings us to the second and final task for today's lesson, Task B.

This task is split into two parts.

Let's start by looking at part one.

Read the scenario and discuss the questions with a partner.

"I can't believe that you want to try out for the school rugby team, Sarah! Girls aren't strong enough to play rugby.

You shouldn't waste your time." A, what assumption or stereotype has this person shared? And B, how might this make Sarah feel? You can pause to have a discussion.

And when you're ready to see some possible answers, just press play.

Let's look at the answers for part one.

Your discussions might have included the following.

For A, what assumption or stereotype has this person shared? This person has made an assumption that girls aren't as strong as boys.

They have believed the stereotype that rugby is a male sport.

And for question B, how might this make Sarah feel? Hearing this stereotype might limit what Sarah imagines she can achieve.

It might start to make her think that she can't play rugby, causing her to doubt her ability, lose confidence, and shy away from opportunities.

Now, let's look at the second part of the task.

Write a response to this person to challenge the stereotype.

Try to include all the strategies for safely challenging within your answer.

Remember, the comment was, "I can't believe that you want to try out for the school rugby team, Sarah! Girls aren't strong enough to play rugby.

You shouldn't waste your time." Again, you can pause the video to do this task.

And when you're ready to see the answers, just press play.

Let's take a look at the answers for part two.

Your answers might include the following.

"I don't think that's fair.

That's a stereotype.

Lots of girls play rugby and are really good at it.

There are even professional women's rugby teams. Everyone should be able to try sports they enjoy.

If someone kept saying this to me, I would ask a teacher for help." Well done if your answers were along those lines.

That brings us to the end of today's lesson.

But before we finish, let's take a quick look at today's lesson summary.

Assumptions are ideas that people believe are true even though there isn't any evidence to support them.

Stereotypes are unfair assumptions about a person or group of people based on their characteristics.

They can make people doubt their ability, lose confidence, and shy away from opportunities.

If people stop making assumptions, others will begin to feel valued and supported to achieve the things that they are capable of.

When stereotypes are challenged, the world becomes a more inclusive place where people are celebrated for who they truly are.

We can respectfully challenge stereotypes by safely speaking up and being positive role models.

Well done on all your effort today.

I hope that you now have a better understanding of what stereotypes are and what their impact might be.

See you again soon.

If you need any support following on from today's lesson, you can visit the Childline website.

This is a website and phone line which is able to offer confidential advice and support.